Losing weight was the No. 1 New Year's resolution for 2014, according to a University of Scranton study, which also found that only 8% of people succeed in achieving their resolutions. Bummer!

So it stands to reason, losing weight will again top the resolution charts in 2015. 

"You're much more apt to be successful, and keep the weight off, if you don't focus on simply shedding pounds by reducing your caloric intake," explained Dr. Brett Osborn, author of Get Serious, A Neurosurgeon's Guide to Optimal Health and Fitness.

"As a general rule, the best thing you can do for yourself is start doing weight training and keep it simple," the expert stressed to us.

Check out the tips Dr. Osborn gave us for burning up the fat and building muscle through weight training:

Make workouts intense. "Any exercise or group of exercises must provide sufficient stimulus to trigger the body's adaptive response. A requisite of this is intensity. We are reactive organisms at a base level," the doctor said.

"Resistance training of sufficient intensity stimulates an increase in testosterone production, and the anabolic, muscle-building process ensues."

Always err on the side of training less. So, how do you know just how much is enough? Are you training too often or just the opposite? In both cases, there will be failed gains.

"That's right - overtraining can stall progress! The answer? Pay meticulous attention to your progress, or lack thereof," Dr. Osborn said.

Chart your progress. "Set training goals, both short-term and long-term, and accomplish them. Buy a log book or download an app (there are many available for free) and make a habit of recording every workout," said the physician. "You don't know where you're going unless you know where you've been."

More tips on how to keep fit during the holiday season and New Year tomorrow!